Pipe cleaning device



1935- F. R. SUTFIN ET AL 2,063,205

PIPE CLEANING DEVICE Filed Aug. 5, 1933 INYENTOR.

Patented Dec. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE PIPE CLEANING DEVICE Fred R. Sutfin and Cyril Cailliau, Detroit, Mich.

Application August 3, 1933, Serial No. 683,418

9 Claims.

Our invention relates to improvements in a device for cleaning the inside surfaces of pipes and similar members, and the objects of our improvements are first, to provide a pipe cleaning device that will operate in association with water pressure applied thereto and that may be manually operated in conjunction with the application of water pressure thereto; second, to provide a pipe cleaning device equipped with brush members for scouring the inside of the pipes to be cleaned; third, to provide a pipe cleaning device having a removable head assembly equipped with means for cleaning the inside surfaces of a pipe; fourth, to provide a pipe cleaning device with cutter means together with brush means for scrubbing the inside of a pipe, the operation of the pipe cleaning device developing a resilient thrust to hold the brush members against one side portion of the inside surfaces to be cleaned; fifth, to provide a pipe cleaning device adapted to be entered within and to clean drain and waste pipes adjacent a sink without the necessity of removing the trap device with which sinks and waste pipes are conventionally equipped, or without disconnecting any portion of the drain or waste pipes; sixth,

to provide a pipe cleaning device having a rotatably mounted head mechanism connected to a flexible hose member to permit the rotatably mounted head assembly to be moved longitudinally of the irregular shaped pipes.

We attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:-

Figure 1 is a partial side view of the head 5 assembly of the pipe cleaning device together with a longitudinal section of a flexible hose connected with the head assembly, together with means for manually operating the pipe cleaning device, said partial sectional assembly being taken on the line indicated at ll, Fig. 3; Fig. 2, a side view of the head assembly of the pipe cleaning device together with a portion of the flexible cable and hose connected therewith; and Fig. 3, a sectional view of a pipe together with an end view of the head assembly of the pipe cleaning device therein and with its cutters and brushes engaging the inside surface of the pipe.

Similar numerals refer to throughout the several views.

The head assembly A of the pipe cleaning device is provided with a hole or passage i into which extends the shaft 2 on which the head 3 is removably mounted, the head 3 being secured thereon by the portion 4 of the spring or resilient member 5, the portion 4 thereof being formed from similar parts one of the coils of the spring 5, the portion 4 extending through a hole located to extend transversely to the axis of the head 3 in the boss portion 6 of the head 3, the shaft 2 being provided with a hole extending through a flatted portion 1 5 for receiving the portion 4 of the spring 5 therethrough, the flatted portion 7 fitting within a broached or similarly formed opening in the outer end of the hole or passage 1, the hole for receiving the flatted portion 1 of the shaft 2 thus being of 10 a different shape than the main portion of the hole I for receiving the main body of the shaft 2 therein.

It is thus to be noted that the spring 5 will be I retained in the hole of the boss portion 6 of the 15 head member 3 by means of the portion i which is bent or formed at one of its ends as indicated at 8 to lock the spring 5 in its assembled position, the portion 4 forming a further driving means between the flatted portion 1 of the shaft 2 and 20 the head member 3, and at the same time permitting the major portion of the torsional load on the shaft 2 to be taken by the flatted portion i in engagement with the flatted portion of the hole I.

The spring 5 will be constructed of wire mate- 25 rial having sufiicient resilient characteristics so as to permit the portion 8 to be rebent to a straight position to permit the spring 5 to be removed when it is desired to remove the head member 3 from its position on the shaft 2 for purposes of 30 service or replacement.

The head member 3 is provided with a recess 9 which is adapted to movably engage a flange 10 of the collar II which is secured to the flexible hose l2 by means of the spring or wire l3 which may be suitably secured around the flexible hose [2 and twisted or bent as at [4.

The collar H is provided with the extension portion I5 which extends within the flexible hose It is thus to be noted that the flexible hose [2 40 is secured to the head member 3 by means of the collar H and its flange it] which is adapted to be rotatably engaged by the head member 3 in the recess 9.

The head member 3 is retained on the collar l l by the washer or plate l6 which is secured to the head member 3 by the screws l7.

It is to be noted that the retention of the flange It) in the recess 9 will permit the head breakage should occur in the flexible cable [9 55 which extends through the flexible hose I2 and is suitably connected to the shaft 2 for driving the head assembly A.

The flexible hose I2 is provided with the hole or passage 28 extending therethrough and the collar I I is provided with passages 2| which connect with the hole or passage 20 of the flexible hose I2 and with the passage or space 22 which exists between the flange I0 and the inner surface of the head member 3 to connect with the holes 23 which connect with the space 22 and extend through the head member 3 to connect with the forward end surface of the boss portion 6 of the head member 3.

The head member 3 is preferably constructed of hexagonal stock as disclosed or if desired it may be made of any desired stock or material.

When the hexagonal stock is used the head 3 may be provided with a series of grooves 24 which extend between the adjacent outside surfaces of the hexagonal stock of the head member 3 and are of sufficient length and size to permit the installation of the cutters or cutter discs 25, the cutters 25 loosely fitting in the slots or grooves 24 so as to permit a revolving motion of the cutters 25, the cutters 25 being thus revolvably mounted on the shafts or pins 26 which extend throughout the length of the head member 3 and may be suitably secured in holes of the head member 3 by upsetting one end of the holes as indicated at 21 to retain the shaft 26 therein, the shafts or pins 26 further being retained at their other ends by the washer I6.

When the head assembly A is mounted in the pipe, such as indicated at I8 in Fig. 3, the cutters 25 will engage one side of the inside surface of the pipe I8, the longitudinal center of the head assembly A being located off the center of the pipe I8, the head assembly A being forced to 00- cupy such an operative position due to the brushes or bristles 28 which are mounted in the holes or recesses 29 in the head member 3, the holes 29 being staggered relative to each other and the head member 3 so as to provide a proper path of contact with the inside surface of the pipe I8.

The brushes 28 are folded at their inner ends and said folded ends 30 are secured in the holes 29 by shafts or pins 3|, the resilient characteristics of the brushes 28 holding them in position in the holes 29 and in engagement with the pins 3|, the pins 3| being retained at one of their ends by the washer I6 and by upsetting the end portion of the holes in which the pins 3| are mounted as at 32 in Fig. 2.

It is to be noted that the brushes 28 will be of sufficient length so that when the head assembly A is inserted within the pipe I8 the brushes 28 will be caused, by the revolving movement of the head assembly A, to bend and form to the shape of the inside diameter of the pipe I8, the resilient characteristics of the brushes 28 in their bent positions always tending to force the head assembly A toward the opposite side of the inside surface of the pipe I8. Thus the crowding of the head assembly A toward one side of the inside surface of the pipe I8 always tends to force the cutters 25 into engagement with the opposite portion of the inside surface of the pipe I8.

The cutters 25 are provided with teeth portions 33 which tend to imbed themselves to a greater or less extent in the inside surface of the pipe I8 and due to the positioning of the brushes 28 and the cutters 25 provide an engagement contact with the inside surface of the pipe I8 which will readily clean the inside surface of the pipe I8 of any scale or similar accumulation thereon.

The housing or connection member 34 is provided with an extension portion 35 to which the flexible hose 36 may be secured by a wire member 37 having twisted ends 38 to retain it in its assembled position as disclosed in Fig. l, the flexible hose 36 being adapted to be secured to a faucet or similar member of a sink or similar mechanism connected with the pipe I 8 which may be connected as a drain pipe, waste pipe or similar member.

The housing 34 is further provided with an extension 39 to which the flexible hose I2 is secured by the wire 4|] which has its end twisted as at 4| to retain it in its assembled position.

The flexible cable I9 extends through the passage 28 of the flexible hose I 2 and is suitably connected to the shaft 42 which extends through an extension portion 43 of the housing 34.

The housing 34 is provided with a passage 44 extending around the flexible shaft I9 and being of such size as will permit passage of water therethrough and connect with the passage 45 of the housing 34, the passage 45 connecting with the inside of the flexible hose 36.

The extension portion 43 is provided with the threaded portion 46 on which is mounted the gland nut 41 which retains the packingmaterial 48 around the shaft 42 to prevent leakage of water thereby. The handle member 49 is secured to the shaft 42 by a pin 58, the handle member 49 being provided with the handle 5|.

The housing 34 is further provided with the hand grip portion 52 which permits the operator to hold the housing 34 and its associated parts in a firm position while operating the handle member 49 to revolvably operate the head assembly A.

In operation, the head assembly A, together with the flexible hose 28 and the flexible cable I9 are inserted through conventional openings of sinks or similar units into a water or drain pipe such as indicated at I8 in Fig. 3, the head assembly A being readily inserted into such a pipe as I8 by being moved thereinto by means of the flexible hose 28.

It is also to be noted that when the head assembly A is inserted downwardly into a drain or waste pipe such as indicated at I8, and when the pipe I8 is located substantially in an up and down position, the head assembly A will, by the force of gravity, be easily inserted into such a drain pipe, and where an upright vent pipe is connected therewith the head assembly A will be automatically prevented from entering such a vent pipe due to its tendency to fall down the waste or drain pipe to a point Where sediment or similar material obstructs the pipe.

After the head assembly A has been positioned in the Waste or drain pipe I8, the flexible hose 46 is connected with the faucet or similar supply of water under pressure and then the operator grasps the handle portion 5| of the handle member 49, and by turning the handle member 49 the flexible shaft I9 will drive or revolve the head assembly A, together with its spring 5, cutters 25 and brushes 28.

Also the operator will grasp the hand grip portion 52 with the other of his hands to stabilize the housing 34 and absorb the reactions due to the operation of the handle member 49.

The revolving motion of the head assembly A will cause the spring member 5 to force its way into any sediment in the pipe I8 and at the same time the brushes 28 will assume the positions as disclosed in Fig. 3 within the pipe l8, the resilient thrust of the brushes 28 causing the teeth 33 of the cutters 25 to engage the inside surface of the pipe.

Thus while the spring 5 tends to gouge out and dig away any sediment within the pipe 18, and with the cutters 25 tending to cut away any sediment on the inside surface of the pipe, and with the brushes 28 ten-ding to scrub and scour the inside surfaces of the pipe i8 as the head assembly A is moved along the pile l8, water under pressure may be allowed to flow through the flexible hose 36 and through the housing 34 and the flexible hose l2 and through the passages or holes 2 l, the space 22, and the holes or passages 23 and out at the front end of the head assembly, thus gradually moistening and washing away loosened material or sediment which is lodged in the pipe and which has been loosened by the head assembly A, and thus further tending to Wash said sediment backwardly past the head assembly A and along an inside surface of the pipe l8.

We claim:

1. In a pipe cleaning device, the combination of a head member adapted to rotate within the pipe and provided with openings extending transversely to the axis of said head member, a shaft member extending within said head member and provided with an opening extending transversely to the axis of said shaft member, a member located at the front end of said head member and adapted to engage an obstruction in the pipe, said last mentioned member extending through said openings of said head and said shaft members to secure said head and said shaft members together, and means for rotating said shaft member together with said head member.

2. In a pipe cleaning device, the combination of a head member adapted to rotate within the pipe, the axis of said head member being located eccentrically relative to the axis of the pipe, cutter members rotatably mounted in said head member, the axes of said cutter members being located eccentrically relative to the axes of said head member and of the pipe, said cutter members engaging the inside surface of the pipe, resilient means mounted in said head member and oppositely disposed relative to said cutter members relative to the axis of said head member, said resilient means having their ends bent over by engagement with the pipe to exert a force tending to maintain said cutter members in engagement with the pipe, said resilient members exerting a scrubbing force against the pipe, and means for rotating said head member together with said cutter and said resilient members.

3. In a pipe cleaning device, the combination of a head member adapted to rotate in the pipe and about an axis located eccentrically relative to the longitudinal center of the pipe, cutter members rotatably mounted in said head member and engaging the pipe, the axes of said outter members being located at one side of the axis of said head member, brush members secured in said head member at the opposite side of the axis of said head member relative to said cutter members, said brush members engaging the pipe and positioning said head member eccentrically in the pipe, and means for rotating said head member together with said cutter and said brush members.

4. In a pipe cleaning device, the combination of a head member adapted to rotate in the pipe, cutter members rotatably mounted in said head member, each of said cutter members having a portion only of itself protruding from said head member, all of said cutter members being located at one side only of the axis of said head member and engaging the pipe, brush members secured in said head member and engaging the pipe, said brush members being oppositely disposed from said cutter members relative to the axis of the head member, the engagement of said brush members and said cutters with the pipe cooperating to position the head member eccentrically relative to the pipe, flexible shaft means operatively connected with said head member, means for rotating said flexible shaft means to drive said head member, and means forming bearings for supporting said flexible shaft means.

5. In a pipe cleaning device, the combination of a collar member provided with a flange together with passages for conveying fluid therethrough, a head member rotatably mounted on said collar member and provided with passages for conveying fluid therethrough, a shaft member in said head member and adapted to rotate therewith, flexible means for driving said shaft member, a flexible conduit operatively connected with said collar member and enclosing said flexible means, said flexible conduit being adapted to convey fluid therethrough to the passages of said collar and said head members, and a washer for retaining said head member on said collar member, said washer engaging said flange of said collar member, said washer being removably connected with said head member to facilitate the removal of said head member from said shaft member.

6. In a pipe cleaning device, the combination of a. head member, a shaft member extending through and supporting said head for rotation therewith, and a member for engaging an obstruction in the pipe, said member being provided with a portion extending transversely to the axes of and through said head and said shaft members to retain said head member on said shaft member.

7. In a pipe cleaning device, the combination of a head member provided with a recess and adapted to rotate, said head member being provided with passages for conveying fluid therethrough, a collar member provided with a flange extending within the recess of said head member, said collar member being provided with passages for conveying fluid therethrough, a washer member connected with said head member for retaining said head member around the flange of said collar member, a shaft member for rotating said head member, said shaft member supporting said head member, said shaft member being adapted to rotate with said head member, said shaft member extending through said collar and said head members, means for retaining said head member, said means extending through said head and said shaft members, and a flexible conduit connected with said collar member and enclosing said shaft member, said flexible conduit being adapted to convey fluid therethrough to said passages of said collar and said head members.

8. In a pipe cleaning device, the combination of a head member adapted for rotation and provided with a pair of passages extending longitudinally therethrough to permit a flow of fluid through said head member, a collar member operatively connected with said head member and provided with a pair of passages extending therethrough to permit a flow of fluid through said collar member to the passages of said head member, means for operatively driving said head member with a rotating motion, said means extending through said'head and said collar members between said passages of said head and said collar members, and means for conducting fluid to said passages of said head and said collar members.

9. In a pipe cleaning device, the combination of means adapted to be entered within and to engage the inside surface of the pipe, said means being provided with passages extending to permit a flow of fluid through said means, a collar member rotatably supporting said means and provided with passages to permit a flow of fluid through said collar member to the passages of said means,

a second means for driving said first mentioned means with a rotating motion, said second means being connected with said first mentioned means and extending through said collar member, said second means comprising a flexible shaft means, and a flexible conduit connected with said collar member and a source of fluid supply, said flexible conduit permitting a flow of the fluid to the passages of said collar and said first mentioned means.

FRED R. SUTFIN.

CYRIL CAILLIAU. 

